Erectile Dysfunction, Viagra and Sildenafil

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent difficulty in getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. It is far more common than most men assume, and it is usually treatable. This section is a practical, English-language guide to ED and the medication most men reach for to treat it: Viagra, its active ingredient sildenafil, and the longer-acting Cialis. The aim is to answer the real questions men ask — without scare tactics and without a sales pitch.

You will find plain explanations of how Viagra and sildenafil work and differ, what is safe alongside common health conditions, the truth about so-called "female Viagra", and how to buy treatment and generics safely and affordably. Everything below is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor or pharmacist, who can weigh your full medical history.

Viagra and Cialis at a glance

The first source of confusion is usually which medicine is which. Here is how the two most common options compare.

Start here: if the topic is new to you, read the difference between sildenafil and Viagra first — it explains the brand-versus-generic question that underlies almost everything else.

Viagra and sildenafil explained

Get the foundations right: sildenafil versus Viagra, sildenafil versus sildenafil citrate, when to take it for best results, how to make it work better and whether Viagra loses effectiveness over time.

Safety with health conditions

This is the part most worth getting right. The absolute rule: never combine Viagra with nitrate medicines. Beyond that, see taking ED meds before surgery, whether prostatitis can cause ED, whether Viagra is safe after a stroke, options for diabetic patients, whether alcohol-induced ED can be reversed, Viagra and Peyronie's disease, and Viagra for an enlarged prostate.

Viagra for women

The "female Viagra" question, answered honestly: the difference between female and male Viagra and which option is best for women.

Buying, generics and cost

Getting treatment safely and affordably: buying Viagra over the counter in the UK and at Walmart, buying Viagra and Cialis online, the cheapest ED medication and generic Viagra in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between sildenafil and Viagra?

They are the same medicine: sildenafil is the active ingredient and the generic, Viagra is the brand. The difference is price, not effect. See sildenafil vs Viagra.

When should I take it for best results?

Usually 30–60 minutes before sex, with sexual stimulation, avoiding a heavy meal. See when to take Viagra for best results.

Is it safe before surgery?

ED meds are usually stopped before an operation because of interactions with anaesthesia. See ED meds before surgery.

Can prostatitis cause ED?

Yes — inflammation of the prostate can contribute to erectile difficulties. See prostatitis and ED.

Is there a real "female Viagra"?

Not in the same sense; women's products work differently and the evidence varies. See female vs male Viagra.

What is the cheapest ED medication?

Generic sildenafil is usually the most affordable option. See the cheapest ED medication.